Construction bracket

ABSTRACT

A bracket and method for the erection of scaffolding, bracing and the like. The bracket has a support structure that extends to an apertured tongue, which is insertable into a construction form. A fastener is then inserted into the aperture of the tongue to hold the bracket in place.

United States Patent: 1191 Merritt Jan. 7, 1975 [54] CONSTRUCTIONBRACKET 2,107,427 2/1938 Schwarzler 249/193 1 1 Inventor: William-Merri19va11ey Rd, 311311312 51313 liigl'fii iiiiiiiiijjiij 11118518 411 fig g gg Townshlpl Oxford, 2,495,408 1/1950 Christoffersen 182/82 x IFOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [22] 1972 8,581 0/1911 Great Britain182/87 [21] Appl. No.: 317,293

Primary Examiner-4. Franklin Foss 521 111.8. (:1. .1 248/300, 249/189Arwmey, Agent, or FirmGe0rge Kersey [51] Int. Cl E04g 17/02 [58] Field31 Searchg. 2428/3100,l 205 R; 249/189, 57] ABSTRACT 24 /193 I l 73 2gig 5 2; A bracket and method for the erection of scaffolding,

bracing and the like. The bracket has a support struc- [56] ReferencesCited ture that extends to an apertured tongue, which is insertable intoa construction form. .A fastener is then UNITED STATES PATENTS insertedinto the aperture of the tongue to hold the P811016 X bracket in place1,694,292 12/1928 Tracey.....

Stiefel 52/753 Y X 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 8 PATENTEB-JAN 7815 SHEET20F 3 FIG. 3

BACKGROUND OF. THE INVENTION This invention relates to a bracket forsupporting constructional elements and, more particularly, to a bracketfor the temporary support of such elements with respect to reusableconstruction forms.

Reusable forms are widely employed in the construction industry foreconomy and efficiency in the erection of structures. The forms aremodular units which are combinable to the extent necessary to define adesired structural surface. The typical reusable construction form has avertical frame that is closed on one side by a panel face and is open onthe other side. The frame is generally made of metal for durability, butits panel face is typically of wood for reduced weight. In use of theforms, the frames are temporarily connected from their open sides byfasteners and the wooden panel faces define the desired structuralsurface.

For example, in the case of reinforced concrete structures, reusableconstruction forms are pinned together to establish one surface of awall. Where the forms are subject to adverse wind effects, it iscustomary practice to brace them at their open sides. When this provesinsufficient, additional bracing is employed at the panel side of theforms. The additional bracing is commonly provided by nailing cleats tothe wooden panel faces and then attaching braces to the cleats. The useof cleats and their nailing to the panel faces is not only timeconsuming, it has a tendency to damage the panels, requiring theireventual replacement.

Once the forms have been assembled for one surface of the structure,steel rods are set to provide the desired reinforcement. Where thestructure is large, it is necessary to erect temporary scaffolding foriron workers who set the reinforcing rods. This kind of scaffoldingcommonly employs cleats that are nailed to the surfaces of the panels.Again, the use of cleats is wasteful of time and materials, of uncertainsupportive effect, and tends to damage the forms.

After the iron work is completed, the scaffolding is disassembled andforms for the opposite surface of the structure are erected. The opposedsets of forms are then tied together using lengths of wire with loopedends. The tied wires typically extend between oppositely-positionedframes through pre-existingchannels in the walls of the frames and arefastened from the back sides of the forms. Concrete is poured betweenthe tied sets of forms, which are disassembled when the concrete hashardened.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to realize a constructionbracket that can be used to simplify the erection of constructionalelements. A related object is to simplify the erection of scaffolding,bracing and the like.

Another object of the invention is to achieve a construction bracket,and a technique for use of the bracket, that facilitates the erection ofsuch elements as scaffolding, bracing and the like with respect toreusable construction forms. A related object is to eliminate the needfor nailed cleats in the temporary erection of constructional elementswith respect to reusable construction forms. Another related object isto avoid damage to reusable construction forms in the erection ofscaffolding, bracing and the like.

A further object of the invention is to realize a multipurposeconstruction bracket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accomplishing the foregoing; and relatedobjects, the invention provides a construction bracket in which asupport structure has an apertured tongue that extends from thestructure and is adapted to be temporarily affixed to a constructionalmember, such as a construction form.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the tongue of thebracket is inserted into a preformed channel of a construction form.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the channel of theconstruction form is positioned at an edge of its frame and the tongueof the bracket is affixed in the channel by a fastener of the kind thatis customary used to hold adjoining construction forms together. Thetongue may be integral with the bracket or it may be a supplementalmember.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the bracketincludes an aperture in its support structure to permit the temporarypinning of a constructional member, such as a wind brace, to thebracket.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the tongue of thesupport structure extends from a first support member and a secondsupport member has a major portion perpendicular to the first member.This permits scaffolding, for example, to be supported by the bracket.Where a third support member is positioned opposite the first supportmember and has a major portion perpendicular to the second supportmember, the structural portion of the bracket is U- shaped and thesupport of scaffolding is facilitated. Alternatively, the third supportmember may be positioned opposite the second member with an overhang toachieve the desired bracket for the support of scaffolding.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, the bracketincludes tabs that extend at right angles from the various supportmembers. This helps to stabilize the construction bracket. with respectto the construction forms with which it is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other aspects of the invention willbecome apparent after considering several illustrative embodiments takenin conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a construction bracket in accordancewith the invention being used with an illustrative set of constructionforms;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the construction bracket of FIG. ll;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the attachment of the constructionbracket of FIG. 2 to the construction forms of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a construction bracket inaccordance with the invention being used for bracing; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a pair ofconstruction forms 10-1 and 10-2 illustratively fastened together toestablish a portion of a structural surface. Each of the forms 10-1 and10-2 [has a frame II with a panel face 12 on one side. The opposite sideis open to allow access to the frames 11 from the rear. The forms -1 and10-2 generally have steel frames for durability, but their panel facesare typically of wood to limit weight. The vertical walls of the framesinclude edge channels 13 with apertures 13a. When the forms adjoin eachother, as shown in FIG. 1, closed channels are produced. These receivethe looped ends of wire ties which extend between opposite wallsurfaces. The ties are held in place by fasteners inserted from the rearof the forms through the apertures 13a and the loops of the ties. Thefasteners inserted into the channel apertures 13a are also used tofasten adjoining forms to each other horizontally. Additional apertures14a are included on the horizontal walls of the frames to permit theforms to be fastened together vertically.

A construction bracket 20 in accordance with the invention is adapted tohave its tongue (not visible in FIG. I) inserted into one of thechannels 13 and held in position by fasteners of the kind commonly usedto hold adjoining forms together. The bracket 20 is shown illustrativelysupporting a scaffold plank 30. This eliminates the need for the supportof scaffolding by nailing cleats to the faces of the forms 10-1 and10-2. The portions of the bracket 20, visible in FIG. 1, are the firstsupport member 21 which abuts the line of separation between adjoiningforms 10-1 and 10-2; an oppositelypositioned support member 24 and itstab 24t; and a tab 231 of another support member (not visible in FIG.1). The tabs 23t and Mt serve to distribute the forces applied to thebracket by the scaffold plank 30 against the panel faces of the forms.

Details of the construction bracket 20 of FIG. 1 are set forth in FIG.2. The first support member 21 of the bracket 20 is a paralled-sidedplate. Extending from the support member 21 is a tongue 22 with sidesthat are coplanar with the sides of the support member 21. However, thewidth of the tongue 22 is less than that of the support member 21, andthe tongue 22 includes an elongated aperture 22a. At the point oftransition between the tongue 22 and the support member 21, the latterhas a lower shoulder 21x and an upper shoulder 21y.

At one edge of the support member 21, and disposed at a right angle, isa second support member 23. An extension 23t of the second supportmember 23 is bent outwardly at a generally right angle to form a tab.Completing the construction bracket 20 of FIG. 2 is a third supportmember 24 which is disposed at a generally right angle with respect tothe second support member 23. Like the second support member 23, thethird support member 24 has an extension 24t that is bent outwardly at agenerally right angle to provide a second tab.

The effect on the tabs 23t and 24! is illustrated in FIG. 1. As downwardforce is applied to the bracket, for example, by weight applied to theplank 30, that force is in part distributed to the faces of theconstruction forms through the tabs 23! and 24:.

To simplify fabrication of the bracket 20 of FIG. 2, the tabs 23: and Mtare desirably of the same length as the tongue 22. Accordingly, thebracket 20 can be produced from a single sheet of metal by stamping toprovide the tongue 22 and its elongated aperture 22a. At the same time,score lines (not shown) may be included to facilitate the bending of thesecond and third support members 23 and 24 into the generally U-shapedconfiguration of FIG. 2 as desired. Additional score lines (not shown)facilitate the bending of the tabs 23t and 24!. The resultingconstruction bracket is particularly suitable for the erection ofscaffolding.

Further, the first support member 21 of the bracket 20 includes anaperture 21a for pinning a brace to it. The way in which the pinningtakes place is discussed below in conjunction with FIG. 4. Otherapertures 21!) and 210 in the first support member 21 are included topermit the plank 30 of FIG. 1, for example, to be nailed to the bracket20. A complementary set of nailing apertures 24a and 24b is included inthe third support member 24. As a result, the plank 30 can be nailed tothe bracket 20 at either the first support member 21 or the thirdsupport member 24, and through the opposite support member.

The mode of attachment of the particular bracket 20 in FIG. 2, to theforms 10-1 and 10-2 of FIG. 1 is illustrated in the partial perspectiveview of FIG. 3, where a portion of the form 10-1 has been broken away toreveal the attachment details. The bracket 20 is inserted by way of itstongue 22 into a closed channel formed by complementary open channels 13in the vertical walls of adjoining frames. As indicated in FIG. 1, eachchannel 13 includes an elongated aperture 13a. To secure the bracket 20to the forms 10-1 and 10-2, a flattened wedge-shaped pin 31 with a crosssection similar to that of the apertures 13a is inserted through theadjoining vertical walls of the frames. The enlarged head of the wedgelimits the extent to which the pin 31 can be inserted. Its tip includesan aperture similar to that of the channels for receiving a second pin32 that holds the first pin 31 in position. While not shown in FIG. 3, areinforcement member may extend between the vertical walls of the framenear each edge channel 13 and include apertures for receiving the tipsof pins such as the second pin 32.

For convenience, the pins 31 and 32 are interchangeable and aregenerally used in holding the forms together and in fastening the metalties that extend between walls.

To the extent that there is an imprecise tit between the tongue 22 andthe pair of adjoining channels into which the tongue is inserted, theflattened form of the pin 31 tends to limit any shearing effect due toany downward force exerted by plank 30. Any shearing tendency isbelieved to be further limited by the presence of the shoulder 21x ofthe first support member 21 and the tabs 23t and 242 of the second andthird support members 23 and 24.

When the tip of the tongue 22 protrudes beyond the adjoining channels 13as shown in FIG. 3, the location of the support bracket in the oppositepanel face is clearly apparent.

An adaptation of the bracket 20 for use with a wind brace is illustratedin FIG. 4. The bracket 20 is inserted by its tongue, as in the case ofFIG. 1, into one of the closed channels formed between adjoining forms10-1 and 10-2. However, instead of having the bracket supportscaffolding in its U-shaped support structure formed by members 21, 23and 24, a brace 40 is pinned to the first support member 21 at theaperture 21a of FIG. 2. Pinning is achieved using the same kinds of pinsas are used in FIG. 3, namely, a horizontally-positioned pin 31 and avertically-positioned pin 32. Unlike the aperture 22a in the tongue 22of FIG. 2, the aperture 21a in the support member 21 is round. Thisfacilitates insertion of the flattened pin 31, which can thus have itstip insertedinto the aperture 21a at any number of angles between thevertical support members 21 and 24. The pin 31 is prevented from fallingthrough the aperture 21a by virtue of its enlarged head.

Once the pin 31 is inserted into the aperture 21a, an apertured head 41of the brace 40 is positioned against the support member 21 so that thepin extends through it. The brace is then held in position by insertingthe second pin 32 into the first pin 31 as in FIG. 3.

As a result, the bracket allows the brace 40 to be used in bracing theforms from the front without requiring cleats to be nailed into thepanel faces or otherwise interfering with them.

An alternative bracket 50 in accordance with the invention is shown inFIG. 5. In this embodiment a tongue 52 with an elongated aperture 52aprojects outwardly from a main support member 21. Unlike the bracket 20of FIG. 2, the bracket 50 of FIG. 5 is U- shaped with respect to themain support member 51 that includes the tongue 52.Oppositely-positioned support members 53 and 54, have their majorportions perpendicular to the main support member 51. They additionallyhave respective overhang extensions 532 and 54e that provide sidesupport for any scaffolding plank inserted into the bracket 50. Becauseof the upper member 54, a plank supported by the bracket 50 cannot beaccidentally dislodged by an upward thrust. Where desired, nailingapertures (not shown) may be provided in the overhangs 53s and 54s andin the main support member 51.

As in the case of the bracket 20 in FIG. 2, the bracket 50 of FIG. 5includes an aperture 511a for the attach ment of an auxiliary member,such as a wind brace. Since the side of the bracket 50 opposite theaperture 51a is open, the insertion of a pin, such as the pin 31 of FIG.4-, is facilitated. The pinning of a wind brace, for example, to thebracket 50 is otherwise effected in the manner shown in FIG. 4.

In order to expedite the manufacture of the bracket 50, it may originateas one of the succession of blanks stamped from a metallic strip ofmaterial, with the tongue 52 of each succeeding blank being stamped fromthe main support member 51 of the preceding blank. In that event thebracket 50 in FIG. 5 omits that part of the main support member 51indicated by the dashed-line rectangle 52, which then fonns the tongueof a succeeding bracket (not shown), The bending of the bracket 50 intothe desired configuration is facilitated by the use of score lines 50sthat are stamped into the blanks at the time they are formed.

While various aspects of the invention have been illustrated by theforegoing and related embodiments, it

is to be understood that changes in components, including thesubstitution of equivalents, for what has been shown and described, maybe made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A construction bracket comprising a support structure including asupport member adapted to receive and support another member,

a tongue extending from said support member and having an aperturetherein,

said tongue being dimensioned to be received by a construction form in achannel having a fastener receiving opening therein,

and the aperture of said tongue being positioned to be aligned with thefastener receiving opening of said channel.

2. A construction bracket as defined in claim I wherein said tongue isintegral with said structure.

3. A construction bracket as defined in claim 1 further including anaperture in said support member for the temporary pinning of anotherstructural member thereto.

4. A construction bracket as defined in claim 1 wherein said supportstructure includes a second support member having a major portionperpendicular to the first mentioned support member 5. A constructionbracket as defined in claim 4 further including a third support member,opposite the first support member, having a major portion perpendicularto said second support member. 6. A construction bracket as defined inclaim 5 further including a first tab that extends at a right angle fromsaid second support member for the distribution of force from saidbracket to said constructional member and a second tab that extends at aright angle from said third support member for the further distributionof force from said bracket to said constructional member.

7. A construction bracket as defined in claim 4 further including athird support member, opposite the second support member, having a majorportion per pendicular to said first support member.

8. A construction bracket as defined in claim 7 further including anaperture in said support structure for the pinning of a structuralmember thereto.

1. A construction bracket comprising a support structure including asupport member adapted to receive and support another member, a tongueextending from said support member and having an aperture therein, saidtongue being dimensioned to be received by a construction form in achannel having a fastener receiving opening therein, and the aperture ofsaid tongue being positioned to be aligned with the fastener receivingopening of said channel.
 2. A construction bracket as defined in claim 1wherein said tongue is integral with said structure.
 3. A constructionbracket as defined in claim 1 further including an aperture in saidsupport member for the temporary pinning of another structural memberthereto.
 4. A construction bracket as defined in claim 1 wherein saidsupport structure includes a second support member having a majorportion perpendicular to the first mentioned support member
 5. Aconstruction bracket as defined in claim 4 further including a thirdsupport member, opposite the first support member, having a majorportion perpendicular to said second support member.
 6. A constructionbracket as defined in claim 5 further including a first tab that extendsat a right angle from said second support member for the distribution offorce from said bracket to said constructional member and a second tabthat extends at a right angle from said third support member for thefurther distribution of force from said bracket to said constructionalmember.
 7. A construction bracket as defined in claim 4 furtherincluding a third support member, opposite the second support member,having a major portion perpendicular to said first support member.
 8. Aconstruction bracket as defined in claim 7 further including an aperturein said support structure for the pinning of a structural memberthereto.